West Ham United new boy Kalvin Phillips has admitted receiving a message from Arsenal star Declan Rice before making his move to East London.
One move almost everybody expected during the January transfer window was Kalvin Phillips to leave Manchester City.
The England international secured a huge £45million move from Leeds United to City in 2022 but barely featured under Pep Guardiola.
Euro 2024 is on the horizon and Phillips simply needs to be playing, so he has now secured a loan move to West Ham until the end of the season.
Phillips must now kick on and prove that he should partner Declan Rice in England’s midfield this summer – and he takes on the Arsenal man today…
Kalvin Phillips shares Declan Rice comments on West Ham United move
Arsenal head to the London Stadium this afternoon, seeking revenge having lost to the Hammers in North London in December.
Phillips will be hoping to help inspire a similar result this afternoon but he will face a tough midfield battle against Rice.
The former Hammer makes his first Premier League return to the London Stadium today having left West Ham in a huge move to Arsenal last summer.
Phillips knows Rice so well from their time in the England setup together but they must now lock horns in a fascinating midfield battle.
Phillips has now told The Sun that he did speak to Rice before securing his move to West Ham, seeking some advice from the former Hammers hero.
Rice told Phillips that West Ham are a real ‘family club’ and that’s exactly what the former Leeds man was seeking, seemingly convincing him that this was the right move.
“I spoke to Declan about West Ham and he said it’s a massive family club and that’s what I’m all about. I want to feel like I’m at home. West Ham was the club I wanted,” said Phillips.
Rice may have left West Ham last summer but he clearly still thinks very fondly of his former club and is even recommending them as a destination for players like Phillips.
The Arsenal star will have to put that fondness to one side this afternoon and attempt to beat Phillips and co, but Hammers fans will appreciate Rice and his love for the club even after leaving.
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